Ultrasound generation member, ultrasound emission device, and ultrasound denaturation observation device

Abstract

An ultrasound generation member according to an aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasound generation element configured to emit ultrasound in a direction of a target object in one specific container of a plurality of containers. An ultrasound emission device according to an aspect of the present invention includes the ultrasound generation member, and a drive power supply configured to apply voltage across the ultrasound generation element of the ultrasound generation member. An ultrasound emission device according to an aspect of the present invention includes the ultrasound generation member that includes, as the ultrasound generation element, a plurality of ultrasound generation elements, and a drive power supply configured to apply voltage across the plurality of ultrasound generation elements of the ultrasound generation member.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An ultrasound generation member, comprising
 a plurality of ultrasound generation elements each configured to emit ultrasound to a target object in a corresponding one container of a plurality of containers, wherein 
 the ultrasound generation elements each include:
 an oscillator formed of a piezoelectric material and elongated in a longitudinal direction thereof; 
 a first electrode provided for the oscillator, the first electrode having a first surface exposed to outside and a second surface covering a portion of the oscillator; and 
 a second electrode provided for the oscillator, the second electrode having a first surface exposed to outside and a second surface covering another portion of the oscillator. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The ultrasound generation member according to  claim 1 , wherein
 in each of the ultrasound generation elements, the first electrode and the second electrode are elongated in a direction that is the same as the longitudinal direction in which the oscillator is elongated. 
 
     
     
       3. The ultrasound generation member according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the ultrasound generation elements each further includes an acoustic coupling member connected to the oscillator. 
 
     
     
       4. The ultrasound generation member according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a holding member that holds the plurality of ultrasound generation elements. 
 
     
     
       5. The ultrasound generation member according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the holding member is provided with holes each corresponding to one of the ultrasound generation elements. 
 
     
     
       6. An ultrasound emission device, comprising
 the ultrasound generation member according to  claim 1 , and 
 a drive power supply configured to apply voltage across the plurality of ultrasound generation elements of the ultrasound generation member. 
 
     
     
       7. The ultrasound emission device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the drive power supply applies the voltage across the plurality of ultrasound generation elements so that each of the plurality of ultrasound generation elements sequentially emits ultrasound. 
 
     
     
       8. An ultrasound denaturation observation device, comprising
 the ultrasound emission device according to  claim 6 , and 
 an observation section configured to observe a denaturation of the target object in the corresponding one container. 
 
     
     
       9. The ultrasound generation member according to  claim 1 , wherein
 in each of the ultrasound generation elements,
 the oscillator has
 a first portion to be inserted to the target object in the corresponding one container, and 
 a second portion connected to the first potion, 
 
 the first electrode is provided for the second portion of the oscillator, and 
 the second electrode is provided for the second portion of the oscillator and located opposite to the first electrode. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The ultrasound generation member according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the ultrasound generation elements are greater than or equal to 30 mm and less than or equal to 100 mm in height, and greater than or equal to 3 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm in width. 
 
     
     
       11. The ultrasound generation member according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the ultrasound generation elements are greater than or equal to 50 mm and less than or equal to 60 mm in height, and greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm in width.